WHO INFORMATION SERIES ON SCHOOL HEALTH ... - PAHO/WHO

6. EVALUATION
Promoting Physical Activity in Schools
Evaluation is a powerful tool that can be used to inform about and to strengthen school health programmes.
Evaluation is defined as “the systematic examination and assessment of the features of an initiative (programme,
intervention) and its effects, in order to produce information that can be used by those who have an interest
in its improvement or effectiveness” (105). A well-conducted evaluation is useful for policy and consequently
for obtaining the resources needed for physical activity programmes, facilities and equipment.
This section provides ideas about a variety of measures and methods for evaluating physical activity
programmes. As explained in section 4.3, evaluation must begin with clearly defined goals and objectives.
Well developed goals and objectives facilitate evaluation.
6.1 Purpose of evaluation
Evaluation helps to:
• Provide information to policy-makers, sponsors, planners, administrators, teachers and parents
about the implementation, progress, limits and effect of the physical activity programme.
• Assess and improve physical activity policies, space and facilities, instruction and programmes,
training of personnel, health services, and students’ achievements.
• Provide feedback to those involved in the planning of physical activity programmes in and through
schools to determine which parts of the programme are working well and which are not.
• Make improvements or adjustments in the process of implementation.
• Value the effort of schools, parents and communities.
• Systematically document the experiences gained in planning and implementing physical activity
interventions in and through schools so that it can be shared with others.
It is seen that many health promotion programmes, especially in developing countries, are either not evaluated
at all or are evaluated inadequately (106). The main reasons are lack of resources, lack of skills and the lack
of perceived importance of evaluation. However, if systematically conducted, efficient evaluation could be
done with limited resources and simple techniques.
WHO Information Series on School Health 34